Abdominal Pain – Symptoms, Causes and Treatments

The abdomen is where a lot of major organs are located. These include the:

Intestines – both large and small
Kidneys
Appendix
Spleen
Gallbladder
Stomach
Pancreas
Liver

Infections, inflammation, obstructions, and abnormal growths to one or more of these organs may cause abdominal pain.

Types Of Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain may be broadly classified into 3 categories:

Localized pain in one specific area of the abdomen. This type of pain is typically caused by a particular organ’s problems, such as stomach ulcers or indigestion.
Cramp-like pain that comes and goes, often with varying severity, is usually caused by constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, or bloating. With women, additional causes can include menstruation, disorders of the reproductive system, or pregnancy-related issues.
A more serious medical condition often causes a colicky pain that may resemble a severe muscle cramp. These include kidney stones, gall stones, intestinal blockages, and so on.

These categories are general, and because the types of pain are often difficult to differentiate, what may seem like stomach pain may be caused by another organ. If the pain is severe or continues for any period, it is better to consult a doctor than wait for what appears to be only indigestion to pass.

The Causes

There are many possible causes of abdominal pain. They include, besides those mentioned above:

Inflammatory bowel disease
Pancreatitis
Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
Diverticulitis
Appendicitis
Urinary tract infections
Endometriosis
And many more

In the most serious of cases, the cause could be cancer of one or more of the abdominal organs. Because abdominal pain is such a common occurrence, people tend to ignore it or, if that is not possible, self-medicate with over-the-counter medicines. Unless you are sure of the cause of the pain and the medication you need to take for it, self-medication may make the problem worse.

Also Read: How can you protect yourself from bacterial infections of the stomach?

Treatment

If the pain is not severe, home treatment may be tried. This includes:

Checking blood sugar if you have diabetes
Slowly sipping water or other hydrating liquids
Avoiding solid food for at least a few hours after the pain has stopped and then eating only a light meal.
Avoiding dairy products for a day
If the pain comes on after eating, it may be caused by acidity, and is so antacids may help.
Rest and avoiding strenuous physical activity

If the pain and any associated symptoms like nausea or vomiting, bloating, diarrhea, burning pain when urinating, high fever, loss of appetite, and blood in the stool remain for more than 24 hours, and it is advisable to contact a doctor. The doctor will review your medical history, perform a physical examination, and order various tests. Based on these investigations’ outcome, he will prescribe a course of medication to relieve the symptoms and cure the problem.

If the pain is digestion, related changes to your diet may be advised. Lifestyle changes and regular exercise may also be advised to prevent a recurrence of the problem. In rare cases, surgical intervention may be required, as in the case of an intestinal blockage.

Originally published July 21, 2016, updated January 18, 2021

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